DCCC to hold 50th commencement exercises

Published: Friday, May 3, 2013 at 9:36 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 3, 2013 at 9:36 a.m.

Davidson County Community College will recognize graduating students during its 50th commencement exercises at 10 a.m. May 11. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Dottie Burkhart, former DCCC faculty member who worked at the college for more than 40 years.

The commencement ceremony will award 1,425 degrees and certificates, as well as one posthumous honorary degree to Christine Young Harris. Harris, a Davidson County native who lived in Lexington and passed away in 2011, bequeathed a $7.5 million to the college — the largest gift in North Carolina community college history.

"Christine Harris lived a quiet life, but we have since learned that she was very aware of our work at DCCC," says Beth Parrott, chairwoman of DCCC's board of trustees, in a press release. "She remained interested in the college after her son, Charles Harris, graduated in 1975. It is thought that Ms. Harris appreciated the availability of a local education for her son and considered the college an important community resource. Her support to the college is quite remarkable; the college and the community will ultimately benefit from her generosity."

Harris is the seventh community leader to receive an honorary degree from DCCC. Others are B.E. Mendenhall Jr., who received the college's first honorary associate degree in 1991. Honorary degrees have also been awarded to Edward C. Smith Sr. in 1992, Felix O. Gee in 1994, Richard Childress and Bob Timberlake in 2006, and George Allen Mebane IV in 2011.

Burkhart, who began teaching at DCCC in 1969 — just a few years after the college opened its doors — touched the lives of many students with her dedication and determination to help educate her community. She graduated from West Davidson High School and earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, as well as a master's degree from the UNC-Chapel Hill and a doctorate from UNCG.

Burkhart's dedication to students and the DCCC community was steadfast during her years on campus, as she taught English to students who were also her neighbors, fellow church members, high school classmates and their children and grandchildren, the release said. She embraced technological change in her classroom and enjoyed taking advantage of YouTube videos in her teaching.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at the Richard Childress Racing Auditorium, 425 Industrial Drive in Welcome. If held here, each graduate will receive two rain tickets for guests to attend the ceremony. Guests without a rain ticket will not be able to enter. However, the ceremony will be available for viewing live via Internet at www.davidsonccc.edu/graduation-live.

<p>Davidson County Community College will recognize graduating students during its 50th commencement exercises at 10 a.m. May 11. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Dottie Burkhart, former DCCC faculty member who worked at the college for more than 40 years. </p><p>The commencement ceremony will award 1,425 degrees and certificates, as well as one posthumous honorary degree to Christine Young Harris. Harris, a Davidson County native who lived in Lexington and passed away in 2011, bequeathed a $7.5 million to the college — the largest gift in North Carolina community college history. </p><p>"Christine Harris lived a quiet life, but we have since learned that she was very aware of our work at DCCC," says Beth Parrott, chairwoman of DCCC's board of trustees, in a press release. "She remained interested in the college after her son, Charles Harris, graduated in 1975. It is thought that Ms. Harris appreciated the availability of a local education for her son and considered the college an important community resource. Her support to the college is quite remarkable; the college and the community will ultimately benefit from her generosity."</p><p>Harris is the seventh community leader to receive an honorary degree from DCCC. Others are B.E. Mendenhall Jr., who received the college's first honorary associate degree in 1991. Honorary degrees have also been awarded to Edward C. Smith Sr. in 1992, Felix O. Gee in 1994, Richard Childress and Bob Timberlake in 2006, and George Allen Mebane IV in 2011.</p><p>Burkhart, who began teaching at DCCC in 1969 — just a few years after the college opened its doors — touched the lives of many students with her dedication and determination to help educate her community. She graduated from West Davidson High School and earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, as well as a master's degree from the UNC-Chapel Hill and a doctorate from UNCG.</p><p>Burkhart's dedication to students and the DCCC community was steadfast during her years on campus, as she taught English to students who were also her neighbors, fellow church members, high school classmates and their children and grandchildren, the release said. She embraced technological change in her classroom and enjoyed taking advantage of YouTube videos in her teaching. </p><p>In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at the Richard Childress Racing Auditorium, 425 Industrial Drive in Welcome. If held here, each graduate will receive two rain tickets for guests to attend the ceremony. Guests without a rain ticket will not be able to enter. However, the ceremony will be available for viewing live via Internet at www.davidsonccc.edu/graduation-live.</p><p>For more commencement information, visit davidsonccc.edu/graduation.</p>